Diving and Snorkeling

freedom & fun!

The coast and ocean around Bonaire form the strictly protected Bonaire Marine Park. Due to it's fabulous climate, and the fantastic condition of the ocean and reef around Bonaire, it is one of the top diving sites in the world. The Bonaire island motto is "Diver's Paradise". The ocean is a wonderful 82ºF (28ºC). There is only 45 cm (18 inches) between high and low water marks, so no serious currents.

Visibility is 30-40 metres, when people, say "crystal clear ocean" – they mean crystal clear ! The best of all worlds, warm, relaxed, easy and spectacular. Bonaire has a parallel fringing reef 50 metres from shore, with drop offs in just 8 metres of water. A staggering 355 species of fish live in the waters around Bonaire. Coral starts at low water mark (ankle-deep!), non swimmers can enjoy the wonderful marine life. There are over 80 dive sites on Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. 51 are high quality shore diving sites, each marked with a yellow "milestone" on the side of the road, and you can park very close to the ocean. No need for lots of boat dives or timetables. Include unlimited air and a vehicle in your itinerary, and you can dive when and where you like, for
as long as it is safe to do so. Diving freedom is not just a catchy phrase. The wonderful conditions, make Bonaire a great place to learn or take a referral or refresher course. The open ocean side, the wild coast, has strong currents, and larger fish ! We advise accompanied diving on this side of the island, and dive schools
will organise a dive with you.

Snorkeling is easy - just float ! The clear sea, and lack of waves or current, makes snorkeling great fun. You will see so many beautiful fish, coral formations and colourful sponges. This is often a starting point for "non divers", who, after a few days, want to take a "try dive" Bonaire has a few small wrecks round the island including the wreck of the Hilma Hooker, sank in 1984, which lies in 18-30 meters of water near the Salt Pier.

Bonaire has been voted by diving magazine readers as: "Top Caribbean Dive Destination", "Top Marine Life", "Top Shore Diving", "Top Snorkeling", "Top Destination for Underwater Photography", "Top Beginner Diving". The reef around Bonaire has the largest variety of species and greatest quantity of fish in the Tropical Western Atlantic, too numerous to mention ! You will see many types of colourful coral formations and sponges, and look out for turtles and dolphin. The Town Pier is the island's most famous night dive, noted for its orange cup corals. Salt Pier is a magnet for marine life. Coral spawning occurs end September early October. Our diving school associates on Bonaire are:

• Bonaire Dive & Adventure;
• Wannadive;
• Buddy Dive Shop;
• Dive Inn;
• Photo Tours Divers; 
• Yellow Submarine;
• Toucan Diving;
• Divi Dive.

All have dive boats, the latest equipment for sale or hire. Nitrox is now widely available.

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